Led Zeppelin had nothing on these guys in 1972.

The Dark Star embodies every style and genre of modern and/or pop music. Out-Frigging-Rageous!

A lot of this I never heard before. What I did hear from Europe '72 already I haven't heard in 20 years or more. Jerry's guitar work in Mr Charlie is very likely to put a shit eating grin on your face. I know it did mine! I'm not even halfway thru yet but wanted to go ahead & start on my review. I'm amazed this show has only gotten 7 reviews. Mine makes 8! When the boys showed up in Europe they were ready to show people what they have. I've only heard half so far & I am amazed. I haven't made it to this 30 min Dark Star or the 17 minute Do Not Stop on the Tracks. If you've never heard this, you should cuz it never got much better than this!

I have been listening to shows for a long time but never really, fully gave Europe 72 shows enough of my time. Listening to Dark Star -> on now and part of me is ashamed to have waited so long and part of me is happy I get to really, really enjoy it for the first time. Sound is phenomenal and playing, of course, is top notch.

Definitely one of the best, especially in 72. Just astonishingly powerful, varied, and moving.

Wembley Empire Pool.

Thanks to Mind Wondrin'
for the reviews
between you
and Light into Ashes
I have gained some cool insights into the music.

i became enchanted from truckin' on... love the dark star... show a full-on jerry, bob, phil full band tour de force

Second hot show in a row to start the tour. Tight and sparkly show known for the Dark Star (that was released at the time on the Glastonbury Fayre LP). It's not the single best Dark Star (like, say München 5/18) of the tour - the cool sections come ten minutes in between - but it's worth hearing. The Dark Star>Caution jam is 39min. Both sets are consistent, and a dozen songs are Grade A- to A+, The tour is hot enough that it takes a lot for one show to stand out. Nonetheless, of the 22-odd shows, this one is top eight.

1st Set:   A
2nd Set: B
Overall = 4½ Stars

Highlights:
Bertha, M&MU, Mr. Charlie, Black-Throated, Cumberland, BioDtL-12, Tennessee Jed, Good Lovin', Truckin', Big Railroad, Hurts Me Too, 1MoSat Night

SOURCES: Miller.83714 or official. Cumberland is on the original Europe '72. Looks Like Rain is on the expanded CD.

This show is with out a doubt one of the hottest shows of the Europe 72' tour. The sound is fantastic. And the Dead are definitely on fire early in the tour. I love the distortion they used on their guitars back then. I'd say they proved themselves to the relatively untapped European audiences. Funny banter between songs too. Great energy, jammin' show, check it out.

"There's a sort of peak optimum, and right now we're at one of those peaks." Jerry Garcia - London 4/72

Apparently the band was feeling a bit warmer on this night because the second show at Wembley is certainly among the hottest performances of the tour as well as a top ten of 1972. Playin' in the Band is dynamite and possibly the best performance of this song on the tour. The interplay between Jerry and Phil on this one is mindboggling! Looks Like Rain is a remarkable rendition with Jerry on the pedal steel. Cumberland Blues and a terrific Good Lovin' round out a very well played first set.

The extraordinary Dark Star, with its beautiful Mind Left Body Jam is among the very best ever performed from any era. Some of the Dark Stars performed on this tour are are celebrated for their pre-verse explorations. This one is special because of its post-verse thematic jamming. The segue into the gorgeous Sugar Magnolia is beautiful and sublime. In spite of the extraordinary Dark Star, the high point of the show just might be the smoking version of Caution, featuring some blistering Garcia leads, and a bit of slide work as well.

Its amazing how quickly the band found its footing on the continent just into their second performance, with a gorgeous sound and tone quite unique to this tour. (99+ pts)